Bicycle Mechanics - Removing a Cassete without a Chainwhip?

Can this be done? How?

Or am I stuck going out tomorrow to buy a chainwhip?

I just did a Dura Ace road cassette by grabbing the cassette with a rag and using a torque wrench with the cassette tool. You need Popeye forearms but it worked. I have been reading that you can put the cassette remover tool in a vice and then just torque the wheel againt it.

I have been reading that you can put the cassette remover tool in a vice and then just torque the wheel againt it.

Only works with freewheels :)

This is a no-brainer. If you're doing some of your own service, maintenance, and repair, purchase a chain-whip - it'll pay for itself in no time. There are some "must have" basic special tools and this is one of them.

If you have an old chain, you can wrap it 'round a cog and death-grip both ends with all your might (wrap the ends in a rag or old slit stretch of innertube or the like); that's a "poor man's chain whip". But ultimately, long-term, get a real chain whip.

BTW, a torque wrench is for setting a specific torque when tightening. Using it to break loose any tight fastener is not only unnecessary, it's not good for the tool. Most torque wrenches I've seen have stern markings akin to "Do not use as a breaker bar" or the like. Just put the biggest wrench (other than a torque wrench) you have on the lockring tool. If that doesn't provide the mechanical advantage, slide a pipe over it to lengthen it. I have an old piece of surplus exhaust pipe and an old piece of the "rigid" part of a vacuum cleaner hose, for this purpose.

Speaking of cassette removal...is there a trick to removing SRAM 9-speed cassettes? I tried to remove one today with the intention of cleaning it. Took off the lockring, then the two smallest cogs came right off but the main cassette bundle wouldn't budge. (By the way, it's on a WTB Laser Disc hub, if that makes any difference.) This was a bit frustrating since the Shimano cassette on my other bike slides right off, no problem.

To add injury to insult, I resorted to cleaning the cassette on the wheel and must have gotten solvent in the freewheel/hub because now the wheel doesn't spin well at all and makes some crunchy sounds. Should I bring it into the LBS and have them disassemble and re-lube it? Also, if just a wheel needs servicing, it is ok to bring it in by itself, or do shop mechanics prefer you bring in the whole bike?

Speaking of cassette removal...is there a trick to removing SRAM 9-speed cassettes? I tried to remove one today with the intention of cleaning it. Took off the lockring, then the two smallest cogs came right off but the main cassette bundle wouldn't budge. (By the way, it's on a WTB Laser Disc hub, if that makes any difference.) This was a bit frustrating since the Shimano cassette on my other bike slides right off, no problem.

To add injury to insult, I resorted to cleaning the cassette on the wheel and must have gotten solvent in the freewheel/hub because now the wheel doesn't spin well at all and makes some crunchy sounds. Should I bring it into the LBS and have them disassemble and re-lube it? Also, if just a wheel needs servicing, it is ok to bring it in by itself, or do shop mechanics prefer you bring in the whole bike?

There is no trick to SRAM cassettes they are almost exactly the same as Shi*No yours is just stuck
The wheel makes no difference as it has a Shi*No compatible hub
Yes bringing it in to the LBS is a good idea at this point.
Yes bring the wheel in by itself. So long as there is nothing else wrong with the bike the wheel is all that is needed
Shop wrenches could give a flying rat's bunghole if you don't bring the whole bike. It's honestly more work to have to remove the wheel, then fix it. and then put it back on.

There is no trick to SRAM cassettes they are almost exactly the same as Shi*No yours is just stuck
I suspected as much, but I usually go by the "when in doubt, don't force it" rule.




Shop wrenches could give a flying rat's bunghole if you don't bring the whole bike.
Well, as long as no flying rat bungholes are involved, I'll just bring in the wheel.

Thanks for the info.

This is a no-brainer. If you're doing some of your own service, maintenance, and repair, purchase a chain-whip - it'll pay for itself in no time. There are some "must have" basic special tools and this is one of them.

Absolutely agree. I think the chain whip is about $20, but even if its $30 it will pay for itself in a very short time. Plus, when you're straining to remove the cassette with other improvised pieces of equipment, you may break something, from a finger to a cog to the hub.

The right tool for the job.

a length of old chain held in vise grip pliers works as a makeshift chainwhip too.

just go out and buy a chainwhip,

I used an old rag, locknut tool, and an electric impact wrench. Came off lickety-split!

You can buy an inespensive chainwhip for $12 at an LBS, even less from a clearance sale from a catoluoge.

I've been using a Pyramid (Lifu?) chainwhip I got for $11.99 at my LBS for about 3 years now, no problems. Definately worth the money, though the Park is a bit nicer.